Chapter 4:Chapter 4:Toward a Psychology of StressToward a Psychology of Stress

Modern man is sick because he Modern man is sick because he is not whole.is not whole.

- Carl Gustav Jung- Carl Gustav Jung

Mind-Body ConnectionMind-Body Connection

Is the mind a function of the brain, a series Is the mind a function of the brain, a series of biochemical reactions, or is it a of biochemical reactions, or is it a separate entity unto itself?separate entity unto itself?

This one question perhaps more than any This one question perhaps more than any other, initiated the discipline of other, initiated the discipline of psychology.psychology.

Mind-Body ConnectionMind-Body Connection

In this chapter, we will look at how the In this chapter, we will look at how the mind perceives stress so that the mind perceives stress so that the “antiquated” stress response can be “antiquated” stress response can be updated or recircuited, highlighting updated or recircuited, highlighting some specific aspects of the psychology some specific aspects of the psychology of stress.of stress.

Psychological nature of stressPsychological nature of stress

This chapter will This chapter will review the nature of review the nature of stress from a stress from a psychological viewpsychological view

Several theories will Several theories will be explored including be explored including the theories and views the theories and views of:of:

Sigmund Freud;Sigmund Freud; Carl Gustav Jung;Carl Gustav Jung; Elisabeth Kubler-Elisabeth Kubler-

Ross;Ross; Viktor Frankl;Viktor Frankl; Wayne Dyer;Wayne Dyer; Leo Buscaglia; andLeo Buscaglia; and Abraham MaslowAbraham Maslow

Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud Freud believed that humans maintain a level Freud believed that humans maintain a level

of (instinctual) tension that arises from both of (instinctual) tension that arises from both internal sources (instinctual impulses) and internal sources (instinctual impulses) and external sources which attack our ego or external sources which attack our ego or identity.identity.

The ego copes with stress through the use of The ego copes with stress through the use of a host of defense mechanisms, including a host of defense mechanisms, including denial, repression, projection, denial, repression, projection, rationalization, displacement, and humor.rationalization, displacement, and humor.

Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud In Freud’s opinion, there is a constant In Freud’s opinion, there is a constant

instinctual tension between body instinctual tension between body and and mind as the mind attempts to mind as the mind attempts to cater to the cater to the biological and biological and physiological impulses in physiological impulses in socially socially acceptable ways.acceptable ways.

This internal tension can be decreased, but This internal tension can be decreased, but because of the power of human because of the power of human

instincts, instincts, it is never fully extinguished.it is never fully extinguished.

Sigmund Freud’s Sigmund Freud’s egg metaphoregg metaphor

Egg Id

Carl Gustav JungCarl Gustav Jung

Freud’s protégéFreud’s protégé Midlife crisisMidlife crisis SynchronicitySynchronicity ArchetypesArchetypes ShadowShadow IcebergIceberg DreamsDreams

Carl Gustav JungCarl Gustav Jung

Jung theorized human personality as a Jung theorized human personality as a process of self-discovery and process of self-discovery and realization, a concept he referred to as realization, a concept he referred to as individuation.individuation.

Individuation involves not only the Individuation involves not only the culmination of childhood experiences culmination of childhood experiences but a spiritual life force that shapes but a spiritual life force that shapes one’s being and life direction.one’s being and life direction.

Carl Gustav JungCarl Gustav Jung

Jung also suggested that there is a certain Jung also suggested that there is a certain level of innate tension, psychic tension, level of innate tension, psychic tension, which exists due to the language barrier which exists due to the language barrier between the conscious and unconscious between the conscious and unconscious minds.minds.

Individuation can reduce this tension through Individuation can reduce this tension through a continual soul searching that builds a a continual soul searching that builds a bridge of understanding between the bridge of understanding between the conscious and unconscious mind.conscious and unconscious mind.

Elisabeth Kubler-RossElisabeth Kubler-Ross(the death of unmet expectations)(the death of unmet expectations)

Kubler-Ross believed that stress can be Kubler-Ross believed that stress can be aroused through the death of unmet aroused through the death of unmet expectations, which produces a series of expectations, which produces a series of mental processes.mental processes.

These processes are denial, anger, These processes are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Resolution of emotional baggage leads one to Resolution of emotional baggage leads one to the final stage, acceptance, which enhances the final stage, acceptance, which enhances inner peace.inner peace.

Viktor FranklViktor Frankl(a search for the meaning of life)(a search for the meaning of life)

Frankl’s psychological theories center around Frankl’s psychological theories center around the concept of human pain and the meaning the concept of human pain and the meaning of suffering.of suffering.

Frankl believed that for life to be complete Frankl believed that for life to be complete there must be suffering, but that there must there must be suffering, but that there must also be a search for the meaning of the also be a search for the meaning of the suffering to resolve the issues of emotional suffering to resolve the issues of emotional stress.stress.

Viktor FranklViktor Frankl(a search for the meaning of life)(a search for the meaning of life)

LogotherapyLogotherapy Tragic optimismTragic optimism Noo-dynamicsNoo-dynamics “ “Spirituality”Spirituality”

Wayne DyerWayne Dyer(guilt and worry)(guilt and worry)

Dyer believes that guilt and worry are Dyer believes that guilt and worry are associated with virtually every stressor associated with virtually every stressor perceived by people in America.perceived by people in America.

Guilt is an expression of self-anger; Guilt is an expression of self-anger; worry, a manifestation of fear.worry, a manifestation of fear.

Wayne DyerWayne Dyer(guilt and worry)(guilt and worry)

Guilt and worry immobilize the thought Guilt and worry immobilize the thought processes, distract one from the present processes, distract one from the present moment, and thus make one unable to moment, and thus make one unable to conquer stress and attain inner peace.conquer stress and attain inner peace.

Wayne DyerWayne Dyer(guilt and worry)(guilt and worry)

Erroneous ZonesErroneous Zones Left-over guiltLeft-over guilt Self-imposed guiltSelf-imposed guilt “ “The art of worrying”The art of worrying”

Leo BuscagliaLeo Buscaglia(the lessons of self-love)(the lessons of self-love)

Buscaglia believes that love is a response to Buscaglia believes that love is a response to a learned group of stimuli and behaviors; it a learned group of stimuli and behaviors; it is not innate, but taught.is not innate, but taught.

Buscaglia believes there are many degrees of Buscaglia believes there are many degrees of love, from joy to grace, but there is only love, from joy to grace, but there is only one love, that which leads to the positive one love, that which leads to the positive growth process of self-discovery.growth process of self-discovery.

Leo BuscagliaLeo Buscaglia(the lessons of self-love)(the lessons of self-love)

Chronic stress and low self-esteemChronic stress and low self-esteem Self-love and the X-factorSelf-love and the X-factor Self-love and self-acceptanceSelf-love and self-acceptance

Abraham MaslowAbraham Maslow(the art of self-actualization)(the art of self-actualization)

Maslow developed a humanistic approach to Maslow developed a humanistic approach to psychology that placed emphasis on psychology that placed emphasis on personality traits, those reflections of inner personality traits, those reflections of inner resources that seem to help people cope resources that seem to help people cope with stress and achieve psychological with stress and achieve psychological health.health.

Maslow’s theory of motivation suggests that Maslow’s theory of motivation suggests that humans operate on a hierarchy of needs that humans operate on a hierarchy of needs that influence behavior.influence behavior.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needsMaslow’s hierarchy of needs

1. Physiological needs

2. Safety needs

3. Belongingness and love

4. Need for self-esteem

5. Self-actualization